Former Griffins Goalie and Red Wings top pick reaches agreement on PTO with LA Kings

Tom McCollum is heading out west to the LA Kings. A former #1 pick of the Detroit Red Wings has reached an agreement on a PTO, leaving the organization he had spent the entirety of his professional career. McCollum, 26, is the leader in games played for the Griffins (226), second in wins (103), and had 7 career shutouts which ranks 5th all-time among Griffins net-minders.

McCollum was taken 30th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in 2008. He was drafted 3 rounds ahead of Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby who was the 2015-2016 Vezina Trophy winner. McCollum leaves the Red Wings organization with a record of 103-91 with the Griffins while registering a 1-0 record in 3 games with Detroit. In those 3 games he also recorded a save % of .879 and a 2.96 GAA.

The Griffins would have had a log jam at Goalie had the Red Wings decided to re-sign McCollum. The decision to not re-sign McCollum makes it clear that the organization has trust in Jared Coreau to be the #1 goalie in Grand Rapids. Coreau was instrumental last season for the Griffins during their franchise record 15 game winning streak. Jake Paterson figures to get a chance to compete for the back-up role after spending the better part of last season with the Toledo Walleye. The Griffins also signed 2 goalies, Edward Pasquale and Calvin Heeter, who will also be competing for the back-up spot with Paterson.

Things never quite panned out for Tom McCollum like they did for Petr Mrazek. Mrazek quickly stepped onto the scene in Grand Rapids and help the team win the Calder Cup in 2013.

Moving to LA, McCollum will have his work cut out for him. The Kings already have Jonathon Quick as the #1 goalie. The starter for the AHL affiliate Ontario Reign, Petr Budaj, was a staple in leading the team to the Western Conference Finals. Jack Campbell signed with the Kings organization and they also agreed to terms with goalie Jeff Zatkolf.

Statistics from http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/m/mccolth01.html

Picture from http://www.mlive.com/griffins/index.ssf/2016/02/tom_mccollum_gets_shutout_for.html